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Remote Australia vs Major Cities of Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 585 km apart · Remote Australia profile · Major Cities of Australia profile

Remote Australia Major Cities of Australia

Major Cities of Australia and Remote Australia are vastly different environments. Major Cities of Australia is very walkable and internationally diverse, with 35.5% of people born overseas and 33.9% using a language other than English at home. It also has a more highly qualified workforce, where 32.7% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher. In contrast, Remote Australia is mostly car-dependent and has a much stronger First Nations presence, with 16.5% of its population identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Housing also differs sharply; 41% of homes in Remote Australia are owned outright, compared to 29.6% in the cities.

Both areas are similar in the share of people who need help with daily activities, which sits around 5%. While they share this commonality, other gaps have widened since 2011. The difference in education has grown, with the gap in Year 12 completion now at 32.4 points. The cost of living has also diverged; the typical monthly mortgage payment in Major Cities of Australia is now $1,042 higher than in Remote Australia.

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Where they differ most

Population: 4,992,196 larger in Major Cities of Australia Born overseas: 29.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Other language: 29.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Year 12: 32.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Rent: $208 higher in Major Cities of Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +4,992,196 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26,219 49th pct 5,018,415 97th pct
Median age in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +4 yrs older in Remote Australia gap widening
41 yrs 57th pct 37 yrs 25th pct
First Nations in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +15.9 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
16.5% 76th pct 0.7% 5th pct
Aged 65+ in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +3.8 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
18.9% 66th pct 15.1% 43rd pct
Under 15 in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +1.9 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
20.0% 85th pct 18.1% 57th pct
De facto in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +3.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
13.9% 58th pct 10.8% 14th pct

Age structure

23.7% Young adults (25–44) +7.3 pts ▸ 31.1%
27.2% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +3.7 pts 23.4%
20.0% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.9 pts 18.1%
18.9% Seniors (65+) ◂ +3.8 pts 15.1%
10.2% Youth (15–24) +2.1 pts ▸ 12.3%

Marital status

44.4% Married +2.3 pts ▸ 46.8%
37.0% Never married +1.1 pts ▸ 38.1%
8.2% Divorced ◂ +0.5 pts 7.7%
6.4% Widowed ◂ +1.8 pts 4.6%
3.9% Separated ◂ +1.1 pts 2.9%

Age & sex structure

Remote Australia Major Cities of Australia

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +29.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
6.5% 6th pct 35.5% 100th pct

Country of birth

76.3% Australia ◂ +16.1 pts 60.2%
0.6% India +4.3 pts ▸ 4.9%
0.2% China +3.1 pts ▸ 3.3%
0.8% England +1.9 pts ▸ 2.7%
0.1% Vietnam +1.8 pts ▸ 1.8%
0.8% New Zealand +0.9 pts ▸ 1.7%
0.5% Philippines +0.7 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.1% Italy +1.1 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.3% South Africa +0.3 pts ▸ 0.5%
0.1% Nepal +0.3 pts ▸ 0.4%

Ancestry

38.9% Australian ◂ +15.4 pts 23.5%
32.5% English ◂ +6.8 pts 25.7%
9.9% Irish ◂ +1.5 pts 8.4%
8.7% Scottish ◂ +1.5 pts 7.2%
0.5% Chinese +7.7 pts ▸ 8.2%
1.1% Italian +5.4 pts ▸ 6.5%
0.6% Indian +4.7 pts ▸ 5.3%
0.2% Greek +3.2 pts ▸ 3.4%
3.2% German ◂ +0.3 pts 2.9%
0.1% Vietnamese +2.3 pts ▸ 2.4%
0.6% Filipino +1.1 pts ▸ 1.7%
0.6% Dutch +1.0 pts ▸ 1.5%

Language

Other language in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +29.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
4.0% 13th pct 33.9% 93rd pct
Limited English in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +4.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
0.5% 25th pct 5.4% 92nd pct

Language used at home

79.5% English only ◂ +18.2 pts 61.3%
0.2% Mandarin +4.0 pts ▸ 4.3%
0.1% Vietnamese +2.2 pts ▸ 2.3%
0.1% Greek +2.0 pts ▸ 2.1%
0.2% Punjabi +1.8 pts ▸ 2.0%
0.1% Arabic +1.7 pts ▸ 1.8%
0.1% Italian +1.6 pts ▸ 1.7%
0.1% Cantonese +1.5 pts ▸ 1.6%
0.0% Hindi +1.3 pts ▸ 1.3%
0.2% Tagalog +0.3 pts ▸ 0.5%

Religion

No religion in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +11.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
26.0% 10th pct 37.3% 39th pct

Religious affiliation

55.1% Christianity ◂ +14.8 pts 40.3%
26.0% No religion +11.4 pts ▸ 37.3%
17.4% Not stated ◂ +11.2 pts 6.2%
0.3% Islam +4.9 pts ▸ 5.2%
0.5% Hinduism +3.6 pts ▸ 4.1%
0.4% Buddhism +3.4 pts ▸ 3.8%
0.3% Other religions +1.8 pts ▸ 2.1%
0.0% Judaism +0.9 pts ▸ 0.9%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +32.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
34.4% 29th pct 66.8% 99th pct
Bachelor+ in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +22.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
10.5% 24th pct 32.7% 98th pct

Highest year of school

34.4% Year 12 +32.4 pts ▸ 66.8%
26.3% Year 10 ◂ +16.8 pts 9.6%
14.0% Year 9 or below ◂ +4.7 pts 9.3%
6.8% Year 11 +1.8 pts ▸ 8.7%

Highest qualification level

14.9% Bachelor degree +17.5 pts ▸ 32.4%
28.7% Certificate III / IV ◂ +9.4 pts 19.3%
11.1% Advanced diploma / diploma +4.2 pts ▸ 15.4%
2.1% Postgraduate degree +11.5 pts ▸ 13.6%
1.9% Graduate diploma / certificate +2.7 pts ▸ 4.6%
2.6% Certificate I / II ◂ +1.3 pts 1.3%

Field of qualification

10.4% Management & commerce +10.5 pts ▸ 20.8%
12.8% Engineering & related ◂ +0.4 pts 12.3%
6.9% Society & culture +5.7 pts ▸ 12.5%
8.1% Health +1.9 pts ▸ 10.0%
8.4% Agriculture & environment ◂ +7.2 pts 1.2%
8.2% Education ◂ +0.7 pts 7.5%
3.3% Architecture & building +1.9 pts ▸ 5.2%
0.5% Information technology +4.7 pts ▸ 5.2%
1.0% Creative arts +3.8 pts ▸ 4.8%
3.5% Food, hospitality & personal services +1.1 pts ▸ 4.6%
1.1% Natural & physical sciences +2.7 pts ▸ 3.8%

Income

Personal income in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +$102 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
$736 49th pct $838 69th pct
Household income in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +$535 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,353 31st pct $1,888 75th pct
Family income in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +$474 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,762 45th pct $2,236 82nd pct
High earners in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +5.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
8.3% 44th pct 13.5% 76th pct
High-income homes in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +11.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
14.0% 35th pct 25.1% 85th pct

Household income distribution

26.1% $1,500–$2,999 +4.8 pts ▸ 30.9%
27.8% $650–$1,499 ◂ +3.7 pts 24.0%
20.7% Under $650 ◂ +6.6 pts 14.1%
7.2% $4,000 or more +6.9 pts ▸ 14.0%
6.8% $3,000–$3,999 +4.3 pts ▸ 11.1%

Personal income distribution

37.0% Under $650 +1.9 pts ▸ 38.8%
27.3% $650–$1,499 +3.4 pts ▸ 30.7%
13.5% $1,500–$2,999 +5.3 pts ▸ 18.8%
3.1% $3,000 or more +2.4 pts ▸ 5.5%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +1.4 pts higher in Remote Australia
27.1% 51st pct 25.7% 42nd pct
Mental health in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +1.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.4% 31st pct 8.2% 42nd pct
Needs assistance in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +0.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
4.9% 44th pct 5.6% 60th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

9.4% Asthma ◂ +1.5 pts 7.9%
8.9% Arthritis ◂ +2.0 pts 7.0%
6.4% Mental health +1.8 pts ▸ 8.2%
5.2% Other condition +2.6 pts ▸ 7.8%
5.5% Diabetes ◂ +1.0 pts 4.5%
4.5% Heart disease ◂ +1.2 pts 3.3%
2.8% Cancer ◂ +0.3 pts 2.5%
2.3% Lung condition ◂ +1.1 pts 1.2%
1.0% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 0.8%
0.7% Dementia even 0.7%

Number of long-term health conditions

53.7% None +13.6 pts ▸ 67.3%
17.4% One condition +0.6 pts ▸ 18.0%
6.1% Two conditions ◂ +0.9 pts 5.2%
3.7% Three or more ◂ +1.2 pts 2.5%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +6.9 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
19.0% 73rd pct 12.0% 31st pct
Unpaid carers in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +1.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
10.9% 47th pct 12.6% 74th pct
Unpaid child care in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +3.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
22.7% 41st pct 26.5% 75th pct
Defence service in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +0.1 pts higher in Remote Australia
1.7% 12th pct 1.6% 12th pct
Housework 15h+ in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +0.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
19.2% 44th pct 19.0% 43rd pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +30,214 larger in Major Cities of Australia
4,339 50th pct 34,553 86th pct
Median age in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +2 yrs older in Remote Australia
27 yrs 57th pct 25 yrs 43rd pct
Year 12 in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +22.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
26.4% 39th pct 49.1% 96th pct
Unemployment in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +2.8 pts higher in Remote Australia
11.7% 32nd pct 8.9% 11th pct
Median income in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +$166 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$521 49th pct $687 86th pct
Household income in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +$563 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,223 33rd pct $1,786 86th pct
Indigenous language in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +4.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
2.2% 9th pct 6.2% 47th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +0.2 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
2.4 43rd pct 2.6 77th pct
One-parent in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +2.6 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
15.6% 65th pct 13.1% 25th pct
Living alone in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +6.0 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
31.0% 76th pct 25.0% 23rd pct

Family composition

52.3% Couples with children +9.5 pts ▸ 61.8%
30.7% Couples without children ◂ +6.8 pts 23.9%
15.6% One-parent families ◂ +2.6 pts 13.1%
1.4% Other families ◂ +0.1 pts 1.3%

Household size

35.0% 2 people ◂ +3.7 pts 31.3%
31.0% 1 person ◂ +6.0 pts 25.0%
10.9% 4 people +6.2 pts ▸ 17.1%
12.7% 3 people +4.2 pts ▸ 16.9%
6.7% 5 people ◂ +0.1 pts 6.5%
3.9% 6 or more ◂ +0.7 pts 3.2%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +$208 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
$180 25th pct $388 86th pct
Mortgage in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +$1,042 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$958 11th pct $2,000 89th pct
People / bedroom in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +0.10 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
0.80 43rd pct 0.90 71st pct
Renting in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +3.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
26.8% 42nd pct 30.6% 57th pct
Owned outright in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +11.4 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
41.0% 80th pct 29.6% 36th pct
Separate houses in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +22.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
90.1% 67th pct 68.0% 11th pct
3+ bedrooms in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +3.8 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
76.0% 58th pct 72.2% 36th pct

How homes are owned or rented

41.0% Owned outright ◂ +11.4 pts 29.6%
21.1% Owned with a mortgage +15.7 pts ▸ 36.8%
26.8% Rented +3.8 pts ▸ 30.6%
8.3% Other tenure ◂ +6.7 pts 1.6%
2.9% Not stated ◂ +1.6 pts 1.4%

Types of homes

90.1% Separate house ◂ +22.1 pts 68.0%
2.4% Townhouse / semi-detached +13.9 pts ▸ 16.3%
2.4% Flat or apartment +12.9 pts ▸ 15.3%
2.7% Other dwelling ◂ +2.4 pts 0.3%

Bedrooms per home

39.3% 3 bedrooms +0.4 pts ▸ 39.7%
28.2% 4 bedrooms ◂ +1.4 pts 26.8%
15.5% 2 bedrooms +5.0 pts ▸ 20.4%
8.4% 5 or more ◂ +2.8 pts 5.6%
5.1% 1 bedroom +0.7 pts ▸ 5.8%
0.7% Studio / none ◂ +0.4 pts 0.3%

Weekly rent distribution

51.0% Under $200 ◂ +43.7 pts 7.2%
3.0% $350–$549 +47.7 pts ▸ 50.6%
34.6% $200–$349 ◂ +10.2 pts 24.4%
0.2% $550–$749 +9.5 pts ▸ 9.7%
0.4% $750 or more +4.1 pts ▸ 4.5%

Monthly mortgage distribution

47.2% Under $1,000 ◂ +34.1 pts 13.1%
10.4% $1,800–$2,999 +24.3 pts ▸ 34.7%
26.1% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +0.4 pts 25.7%
8.6% $3,000 or more +11.4 pts ▸ 20.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +2.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
5.9% 57th pct 8.6% 76th pct
Work from home in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +12.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
15.9% 83rd pct 28.5% 99th pct
PT commute in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +2.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
1.1% 37th pct 3.5% 71st pct

How people get to work

57.7% Car (driver) ◂ +10.9 pts 46.8%
15.9% Worked at home +12.6 pts ▸ 28.5%
7.6% Walked ◂ +5.6 pts 2.0%
4.5% Car (passenger) ◂ +1.2 pts 3.2%
0.0% Train +2.0 pts ▸ 2.0%
1.0% Bus ◂ +0.4 pts 0.6%
0.4% Bicycle +0.4 pts ▸ 0.8%

Motor vehicles per home

31.9% 1 vehicle +5.6 pts ▸ 37.5%
35.3% 2 vehicles +1.7 pts ▸ 37.0%
16.0% 3 vehicles ◂ +5.1 pts 11.0%
10.9% 4 or more ◂ +5.0 pts 5.9%
5.9% No vehicle +2.7 pts ▸ 8.6%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +13.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
27.3% 12th pct 41.1% 72nd pct
Recent arrivals in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +11.4 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
27.3% 84th pct 15.9% 52nd pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +1.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
3.8% 14th pct 5.3% 56th pct
Participation in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +8.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
55.5% 47th pct 64.1% 86th pct
Full-time in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +7.4 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
67.4% 82nd pct 60.0% 57th pct

Industries people work in

34.0% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +33.4 pts 0.6%
8.9% Health care & social assistance +4.8 pts ▸ 13.7%
10.1% Education & training ◂ +1.3 pts 8.8%
1.6% Professional & technical +7.9 pts ▸ 9.5%
5.2% Retail trade +4.3 pts ▸ 9.5%
4.4% Construction +4.8 pts ▸ 9.2%
7.3% Mining ◂ +7.1 pts 0.2%
2.1% Manufacturing +4.8 pts ▸ 6.8%
4.8% Accommodation & food +1.3 pts ▸ 6.1%
5.9% Public administration & safety ◂ +0.4 pts 5.5%
2.9% Transport & warehousing +2.0 pts ▸ 4.9%
0.7% Finance & insurance +4.0 pts ▸ 4.7%

Occupations people work in

28.9% Managers ◂ +15.3 pts 13.7%
11.4% Professionals +15.4 pts ▸ 26.9%
14.1% Labourers ◂ +6.2 pts 7.9%
8.8% Clerical & administrative +4.0 pts ▸ 12.8%
10.1% Technicians & trades +1.9 pts ▸ 12.1%
10.2% Community & personal service +0.4 pts ▸ 10.6%
10.3% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +4.5 pts 5.8%
4.1% Sales workers +4.2 pts ▸ 8.3%

Walkability

Walk score in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +3.8 higher in Major Cities of Australia
3.4 53rd pct 7.2 100th pct
Types ≤15 min in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +2.9 more in Major Cities of Australia
3.8 60th pct 6.7 100th pct
15-min city in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +36.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
46.6% 67th pct 83.4% 100th pct
Walk to shops in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +38.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
44.3% 52nd pct 82.7% 100th pct
Walk to transit in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +69.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
22.1% 33rd pct 92.0% 93rd pct
Walk to school in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +40.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
46.9% 49th pct 87.9% 100th pct
Walk to a park in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +40.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
57.9% 32nd pct 98.2% 99th pct
Walk to health in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +31.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
42.1% 68th pct 73.8% 100th pct
Amenities/1k in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +14.6 more in Remote Australia
28.8 64th pct 14.2 14th pct
Intersections/km² in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +155 higher in Major Cities of Australia
0 15th pct 155 99th pct
Mean slope in Remote Australiain Major Cities of Australia +1.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
3.1% 13th pct 4.7% 42nd pct

Compare Remote Australia with nearby areas

Very Remote Australia Outer Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Remote Australia Outer Regional Australia Remote Australia

Compare Major Cities of Australia with nearby areas

Inner Regional Australia Very Remote Australia Outer Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Remote Australia Remote Australia Major Cities of Australia Outer Regional Australia Remote Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Remote Australia vs Major Cities of Australia [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ra/RA13/remote-australia/vs/RA20/major-cities-of-australia